Holy Cross School celebrates its 150th anniversary Sunday, presenting an opportunity to look back at the founding of the historic school established by the Daughters of Charity on Jan. 7, 1863.

A celebration of the sesquicentennial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by students presenting Bishop Richard Garcia with a time capsule to be buried near the church, and then an open house at the school and a celebration in the Parish Hall.

The school first served as an orphanage as well as a boarding and parish day school. It was housed in an adobe originally part of the Santa Cruz Mission (founded in 1791). A few years later, local carpenter Tom Beck -- a Democrat who later became California's 12th Secretary of State -- helped construct a two-building wooden school. The current school was built in 1958.

Sister Barbara Long, an alum who heads music ministry for Holy Cross Church and the Diocese of Monterey, and teaches part-time at the school, said the anniversary is a worthwhile occasion to celebrate.

"It's so wonderful to think Catholic education has been going on on this hill for 150 years," said Long, who started first grade in 1944 and entered a convent after 10th grade.

"Just think of the thousands of students who came through and spread the influence of Holy Cross in the world. My own mother went here, too."

Planning the Party

Several alumni are expected Sunday, including families like Long's in which several generations attended Holy Cross.

Principal Michael Hooper has been working on the celebration for weeks, one of several projects the young principal has tackled since he was hired at the start of the school year. Hooper attended Catholic schools and was raised in the San Martin area. He last worked as head of the English Department at St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School.

"This anniversary exemplifies the longevity and impact of Catholic education, which continues to flourish and is still a very important part of the community," he said. "A Catholic school is an excellent place for a child to develop in a healthy, spiritual atmosphere. That's what I received as a child, and that's what I want for our students."

Monday, Long was coordinating music and ministers for Sunday's Jubilee Mass, planning to ask the Daughters of Charity to attend and bring up the gifts during the service. She said that was a must, that the school would not exist if not for them.

The Early Days

Seven members of the Daughters of Charity came to California from Maryland in 1852, at the request of then-Bishop of Monterey Joseph Alemany, according to the order's website.

Railroads did not yet cross the country, so the nuns came by steamer from New York, crossing the Isthmus of Panama atop mules. Sisters Ignatia Green and Honorine Goodman died of cholera and were buried in Panama City. The five survivors boarded another steamer and sailed on to San Francisco, arriving 42 days after leaving New York.

Long remembers that one sister was thrilled that it only took nine hours to travel from Santa Cruz to San Francisco by steamer.

Daughters of Charity was established in France in the 1600s, by Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, to serve "the poorest of the poor." The Daughters sponsored Holy Cross School until 1943, when the Adrian Dominican Sisters took over.

According to Sentinel archives, the cornerstone for a high school was laid at the Holy Cross complex in 1926. That three-story building still stands on the other side of Mission Plaza, though the high school closed in 1970.

The building is now used by church and social service groups but needs upgrades to meet earthquake standards. The city has ordered it vacated by 2014 if that work is not done, Long said.

Hooper said the school community has been talking about launching a capital campaign to restore it for use as a middle school.

But this week, the focus is on the anniversary.

Hooper and parents have constructed a new kiosk that stands in front of the church, and the time capsule will be buried there, containing items chosen by each class of students.

Items on display Sunday will include an original first-grade desk salvaged by teacher Amy Savoni and restored by Hooper.

The school serves about 200 students in grades pre-K to eighth. For information, visit holycsc.org or call 831-423-4447.

WHEN: 10:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Bishop Richard Garcia is expected at the celebration. It begins with 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a ceremony in front of church, an open house at Holy Cross School and a celebration with displays, live music and appetizers from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the church's Parish Hall. WHERE: Holy Cross Church, 180 High St. and Holy Cross School, 150 Emmet St. (The church and school are off Mission Street and surround Mission Plaza.)INFORMATION: Call the school at 423-4447.